Exploring Candle Properties through Observation

How would you describe these candles? Color, hardness, and density are physical properties that you can use in the description. You can also say that the candles are burning. The ability to burn is not a physical property. As a candle burns, new substances form.

Observing Chemical Properties When can chemical properties be observed?

Observing Chemical Properties As a candle burns, its compounds combine with oxygen in the air to form water and carbon dioxide. A chemical property is any ability to produce a change in the composition of matter. Flammability and reactivity are two examples of chemical properties.

Observing Chemical Properties Chemical properties can be observed only when the substances in a sample of matter are changing into different substances.

Observing Chemical Properties Flammability Materials that burn can be used as fuel. Flammability is a material’s ability to burn in the presence of oxygen. Reactivity The property that describes how readily a substance combines chemically with other substances is reactivity.

Observing Chemical Properties Rust forms when oxygen reacts with iron and water. Rust is a brittle, reddish-brown compound. Because iron is highly reactive, you would not choose iron to make jewelry or coins.

Observing Chemical Properties Nitrogen has many uses that depend on its low reactivity. Researchers in Japan pump nitrogen gas into the steel tanks that hold seawater in ships. The nitrogen displaces the oxygen dissolved in the water and prevents rusting.

Recognizing Chemical Changes What observations might indicate that a chemical change has occurred? Three common types of evidence for a chemical change are a change in color, the production of a gas, and the formation of a precipitate.

Recognizing Chemical Changes The color change in a banana peel is caused by chemical changes that are taking place in the cells of the banana. A chemical change occurs when a substance reacts and forms one or more new substances.

Recognizing Chemical Changes A Change in Color A change in color is a clue that a chemical change has produced at least one new substance. • A shiny silver bracelet that is exposed to air will darken. • As a match burns, it shrivels up and turns black. • A new copper roof and an old copper roof have different colors.

Recognizing Chemical Changes A new copper roof has a reddish color.

Recognizing Chemical Changes A new copper roof has a reddish color. The green patina on an old copper roof is a mixture of copper compounds.

Recognizing Chemical Changes Production of a Gas When you mix vinegar with baking soda, bubbles of carbon dioxide form immediately. A similar chemical change happens when you use baking powder as an ingredient in a cake recipe. Bubble of carbon dioxide expand and cause the cake to rise.

Recognizing Chemical Changes Formation of a Precipitate Any solid that forms and separates from a liquid mixture is called a precipitate. When an acid is added to milk, proteins in the milk undergo a chemical change that causes them to stick together in clumps and form a precipitate–cottage cheese.

Is a Change Chemical or Physical? What is the difference between chemical and physical changes?

Is a Change Chemical or Physical? When matter undergoes a chemical change, the composition of the matter changes. When matter undergoes a physical change, the composition of the matter remains the same.

Is a Change Chemical or Physical? Even if you observe a color change, a gas, or a precipitate, you cannot be sure that a chemical change has taken place. When an iron horseshoe is heated, its color changes from gray to red, but the iron is still iron. That means the change is physical, not chemical.

Assessment Questions • Which of these properties is a chemical property of sulfur? • yellow • flammable • brittle • soft

Assessment Questions • Which of these properties is a chemical property of sulfur? • yellow • flammable • brittle • softANS: B

Assessment Questions • Which of the following is not a common type of evidence for a chemical change? • a change of state • a color change • a gas produced • a precipitate formed

Assessment Questions • Which of the following is not a common type of evidence for a chemical change? • a change of state • a color change • a gas produced • a precipitate formedANS: A

Assessment Questions • You can be certain that a chemical change has occurred when • there is a visible change. • the change is irreversible. • the temperature changes. • a new substance is formed.

Assessment Questions • You can be certain that a chemical change has occurred when • there is a visible change. • the change is irreversible. • the temperature changes. • a new substance is formed.ANS: D

Exploring Candle Properties through Observation